We hit many high points like sculptress Camille Claudel's house on quai d'Anjou.

Someone was fool enough to open a door and fearless Cara waltzed in with all the aplomb as if she lived there. Nothing new for Cara but trepidation for yours truly.

Another private courtyard at No.39 holds the theatre de Saint Louis. Naturally it plays a roll in private investigator Aimée escaping a villain during a dress rehearsal.

P.I.Aimée has a penchant for extravagant designer shoes usually bought on sale at a Vide Grenier or the soldé.

She also has a penchant for falling down on cobblestones/pavé and breaking her expensive heels. This is a bad habit I've picked up, though I'm wearing sensible flat Arcopedicos. Go figure. Some people are home breakers. Aimée Leduc is a heel breaker.

17th century historic church Saint-Louis-en-l'lle where Aimée was baptized. We took a good look at the baptismal fount. A definite don't-miss on the island at 19 bis, rue Saint-Louis-en-l'lle.

I have complained repeatedly to Cara that Aimée simply does not eat enough pastry on the ile Saint-Louis or off, but I'm barking up the wrong tree. PLEASE give us some pastry in the next mystery Cara! Do you agree or not PBers? Any particular pastry you would like to see Aimée eating btw? Here's your chance to get in a word with the author!

Aimée herself ends up in very hot water in that mystery but no spoilers allowed...ahem.

Cara shows me the public baths on rue de Deux Ponts where some of Paris' underbelly come for a scrubdown in the Leduc series.

She also points out where Hemingway bought his fishing tackle on rue Sully, though he has yet to turn up in any Aimée Leduc mysteries. Hmmm...

Cara happily poses by one of the most prestigious, private hotel particuliars on the island, Hôtel de Lauzun

Someone opens a gate and 'in like Flint', Cara wafts with yours truly tagging along nervously. The guard queries if we are supposed to be there and Cara nods yes. Doodly-doodly-do

Since Hotel de Lauzun is in the book I must see it right? We head upstairs and then down and out the gate. The guard would like to pick a fight with us, rightly sensing we don't belong there but Cara wafts on with me looking back and crossing my fingers we don't get arrested.

We then waft over to chez moi where there is no interference or guards and Cara marks up things I should mention to you in both books,Pigalle, her 14th and Ile Saint-Louis her 7th.

Dear PBers if you are lucky enough to meet darling Cara at a book signing, please do not mention yours truly. Just fawn over her deservedly and BUY her books for heavens sake! They're awfully fun reading (did I mention that?). We're both very lucky to have Cara take us round the Ile Saint-Louis on a private tour non?

I have Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis on my pile of to read books right now. Thinking it will be a good beach read this next month. Love her books. Love this neighborhood to walk and explore. How I would love walking into those open gates too.

I'm incredulous that you managed to write about the Hotel de Lauzun without featuring the world's greatest downspouts! The city of Paris owns it now, so I'm sure you could rent it for a shindig! Please invite us if you do!

http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.fr/2014/02/monthly-belles-lettres.htmlI showed Paris' most famous 'downspouts' up close here.No time with Cara for details outside the gates.When she wafts, you mustn't be far behind or you miss out.After we ere walking Very fast to get away.

But will look here next time I am there..here..Love her books because of you..PS I love being inspired to like something enough to purchase..You have that inspiration on me:-) Those glasses are so you in a different shade of red..belle aquarelle...

so cool, thanks! I'm actually listening to Murder in Pigalle right now, loving every second of it. Apart from Cara's usual awesomeness, the narrator is so so good! One day, I did also a private courtyard as the gate was open, but as soon as I was in, it closed, and I could not figure out out to get out!! I had to wait for someone else to come in...

Sure do hope Aimee loses the high heels now that she's preggers -- and a few pastries wouldn't hurt, either. (May I have that citron one, please?) And believe me, if I had an H&M here, I'd be out the door and back already, glasses in hand!

I've read all of Cara's books except Pigalle -- waiting for it in the distinctive same-style edition paperback to go on the shelf with the rest of my collection! Love the books, the background, the locations -- and that is yet ANOTHER reason why I love this post that shows them all to me "really!" Merci!

I haven't read Pigalle either. I re-read Le Marais when I was renting an apartment on rue du Pas de la Mule. I could imagine Aimée crawling over my roof. Ile St-Louis is one of my favourite spots. I especially like the church on Palm Sunday when there is a procession.